Archive for April 2013

Hello Friends, I hope you are having a terrific Tuesday!

Saturday, I had the BEST fish sandwich that I’ve ever eaten in my life and “that’s the truth Ruth!” Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had plenty of good fried fish sandwiches; my cousin in New Rochelle can throw down; my church sells some mean fried fish dinners on Fridays; last year I waited almost an hour for a piece of fried fish at Del State’s homecoming; and I always buy fish sandwiches from Dale United Methodist Church at The Middletown Peach Festival. BUT The Farmer Family, owners of Farmers Famous Fish, can throw down, their fish sandwiches are by far the best I’ve ever tasted!

This ‘old school famous fish fry is located in the corner of the BP parking lot on Routes 896/40 in Glasgow, DE. They will be celebrating their 1st Year Anniversary at this location in August and their seasonal opening was last weekend – they sold out on both days! Farmers Famous Fish is a home-based catering business, and their family and friends have tried to convince them to open a restaurant, but for now they want to be out and about in the community so these Weekend Warriors also set up at other events including Community Day in Newark.

Farmer’s Famous Fish is a family friendly operation headed by David and Troy Farmer that also includes their sons David, Jr. (21), Tyelor (18) and Daniel (13). Only quality fish including Swai, Cod and Pollock is used because it’s great for deep frying and also has a light, flaky texture with a hint of sweetness. Hand cut, fresh potatoes sprinkled with a Cajun seasoning are placed alongside two pieces of golden fried fish on a soft, fresh baked roll. The fish is then topped with their (secret recipe) Chipolte coleslaw, a few thin slices of red onion and lemon wedges (my mouth waters just thinking about it).

My suggestion is while waiting for your sandwich and fries try a piece of Troy’s World Famous Sweet Potato Cornbread, it’s delicious, not overly sweet and your taste buds will thank you. You may want to buy another piece to save for dessert later, ask to have a little confectioners sugar sprinkled on top.

It would be great to see Farmers Famous Fish featured on an episode of The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives because this is not grease laden fish slapped between two pieces of Wonder Bread soaked in hot sauce, not sayin those aren’t good but – these are “Slap ‘Yo Mama – It’s So Good” fish sandwiches and I will definitely be going back for more (diet is officially over!)

Farmers Famous Fish is a cash-only stand that is open every Saturday and Sunday until November and soon they will be adding Fish Tacos and Meat loaf to the menu.

On each table there was a “What’s Your DFL-IQ” sheet that contained clues about the program, completed forms were then entered into a drawing for a chance to win a Gift Card with Travel Mug or a Basket of Wines. The mellow sounds of A-Z Music was heard as they played smooth Jazz throughout the evening. Mary Caraccioli, The Money Confidant, began the presentation with the history of DFLI, a not-for-profit organization that provides FREE financial literacy programs and the importance of the local business support. Emilio Cooper, Board President and a rep of Citizen’s Bank, a Corporate Sponsor also spoke and announced that DFLI had recently received the 2013 Excellence in Literacy Award – Non Profit. Ronni Cohen, Executive Director also spoke briefly and introduced her small, hardworking staff as well as a video that contained testimonies and accolades from several participants and instructors who were also present at the evening’s event.

The highlight of the evening were the eloquent remarks from Victoria Acosta, she and her sister Samantha are “smallpreneurs” whose family business, Precious Pillows, was started by Jennifer at the tender age of 10. She spoke of how DFLI planted the seed that allowed her to become successful and they have been chosen to represent their company at a Christian Technology Camp this summer. Victoria is an A+ student, involved in sports and church activities and is truly an inspiration to others in and above her age group.

“May your days be filled with success and your nights with Precious Pillows!”

Dinner was buffet style with Nacho stations as well as a Cheese/Fruit/Vegetable and Dip table. An open bar served soft drinks, a variety of wine, Twin Lakes Winterthur Wheat beer and a special Green Tie Cocktail – Rita’s Juicy Pear Water Ice & Vodka, which was also available as non-alcoholic.

As guests departed they were given a green dfli monogrammed coffee mug containing a bookmark and donation form. It was a wonderful evening and I will definitely contact my employer to request a donation be made to this worthy organization.

Saturday my oldest son had an appointment at Simon Eye Associates in Middletown. We are a family of four with three of us wearing prescription glasses, so the out-of-pocket cost can easily exceed $100 even with insurance co-pays. I personally prefer stylish eye wear because wearing glasses is more than a necessity, it’s an accessory and “I go big or I go home”.

In the ’80’s, my sister started wearing glasses and she too preferred large frames which was also the style during that time -aka- Sally Jesse Raphael, which may be why I like them as well.

Unfortunately, my first prescription pair were the narrow, rectangular style and they gave me a headache, I could never place my eyes in the correct area of the frame and it was annoying. They cost me $300 out of pocket and I swore never to spend that much money again! In my family the only one who doesn’t wear glasses is Tayair which is strange because he was a 3 month preemie weighing only 2.5 lbs. Most preemies have a need for corrective eye wear especially during their early years, but this hasn’t been the case for him.

I was recently contacted by GlassesUSA to do a sponsored post and I didn’t hesitate because I am always looking for ways to save money. GlassesUSA is the premier place to buy discount prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. The request coincided with Tayair’s appointment so it was a perfect time to check them out. I looked through the large selection of eyeglasses at Simon Eye Associates so I could chose the same style from GlassesUSA.

Or maybe I’ll order a pair of prescription sunglasses for the summer.

GlassesUSA provides the highest quality optical products at the most affordable prices and delivery is fast. The lenses not only exceed FDA requirements but they pass a “5-Stripe” process prior to shipping. The goal of GlassesUSA is to provide the best eyewear in the quickest time frame possible. Glasses USA guarantees the highest quality, affordable prescription glasses because they partner with the best laboratories in the industry saving customers on every order. They pass these savings onto you making it a win-win situation! Getting the prescription from your optometrist is quick and easy and allows you the opportunity to order your next pair from GlassesUSA saving hundreds of dollars.

GlassesUSA is the premier place to buy discount prescription eyeglasses online!

This is a personal blog written by Antionette Blake. For questions about this blog, please contact ablake48@verizon.net.This blog occasionally accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation. Sponsored posts are clearly disclosed and not every post is a sponsored post.This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. I believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity. The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. I may be compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. However, even though I may receive compensation for the posts or advertisements, I always give my honest opinions on topics or products.The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question. This blog does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.Effective immediately and in perpetuity.

Jacqueline eventually returned to school and began working for the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and while commuting on a train she met her rapist and father of her only son. Rejected she hid the truth and married her boyfriend who thought the child was his. This true story is of how her courage, determination and faith in God helped her survive an abusive marriage, kidnapping of her son, a divorce, depression, a mental breakdown and then the near death of her son.

Hello Friends and Happy Fri-Yay!

This is the last full week of April, can you believe that this time next week it will be May 3rd and Memorial Day will be on the calendar? So many things happened this week, some of them good others not so much but I shall not dwell on the negative. Life is so unpredictable, one day everything is “Peachy Keen” and then next your world is turned upside down. I believe that all of us, at one point in our lives has wanted something that someone else had, whether is was as a child or an adult, as a sibling, a parent or friend, and then we realize that “the grass isn’t always greener on the other side”.

The Java House Café in Middletown recently hosted two books signings for local authors. The first one was on Saturday with Richelle N. Rodgers, author of Forever Growing A Journey of Trust. This autobiography gives you insight into her life which is filled with joy and sadness as well as near death experiences by both she and her husband, but her strong faith and trust in God has given her more than the world has taken.

Richelle is Philadelphia native presently residing in Elkton, Maryland with her husband of 38 years and is a grandmother of triplets. Her passion for empowering others to be the best they can be in their relationship with God is prevalent throughout the book. As a Franchise Consultant in both the Museum and Insurance industries as well as an Independent Contractor for CCI, she has had the opportunity to travel outside of the United States including trips to Bosnia and Italy. Richelle is currently a Lay Prayer Associate and an Eucharistic Minister and Lector at her church.

Richelle has dedicated her life in helping others and as a Vietnam Vet is currently working on a Women Veteran Leadership Awards Symposium to be held in DC this fall.

Do you collect something? What is it? – I used to collect African American Santas and Angels – but have since stopped buying – time to start downsizing

What is one piece of advice you’d like to give to your readers? “Don’t Stress The Small Stuff – Life is Too Short”

Thinking about how and when you grew up, where do you think your style inspiration came from? – Born in the 60’s, and raised in New York – no explanation needed

If you could do anything crazy for 1 day and be assured that nothing harmful could happen, what would it be? – Wow…that’s definitely a hard one…hmmm hack the system to wipe my credit report clean, zero balance out everything!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? In 10 years? – semi-retired and debt free/retired and debt free

What is your best asset? Could be physical or not – Positive Attitude

Eleven Questions from A Mom’s Point of View

What made you decide to start blogging? – After the death of my grandmother, I needed someone to share my bargains and deals with

How often to you write a blog post? – Daily

Do you have children and how many? 2 sons, ages 17 and 20

What is your favorite book? – Everything written by the late E. Lynn Harris

Do you read eBooks or paper books? – both but neither often

How long could you live without electricity? – a week maybe

One word to describe your personality? – Positive

Dog or Cat person? Cat but don’t have either

Have you bought a tablet yet? – I won one from a contest sponsored by WPHL17